Movie Review: The Time Traveler's Wife

I know you've all been waiting with baited breath for our first movie review, right?


I think we all went in with pretty low expectations because when a movie is based on a book it can be really good or really bad. You never know if they're gonna follow the plot or totally change it up.

A group of 6 of us went. 4 of us had read the book and 2 hadn't. We were curious to see what the 2 would think, since they hadn't read the book.

***Spoilers Below!!***

For me, MiMi, I was thinking that if I hadn't read the book first I would never have caught on to the movie. Just like in the book, there are a lot of twists, turns and jumping around in time. The 2 people who didn't read the book (Jessica's mom and my aunt) said they had no problem following the plot and the jumping around in time.

We all liked the movie, and for those of us who read it beforehand, we thought that they actually did a really good job of following the story line.

There were a few change-ups that we noticed. There were some tangents in the book that they never brought up in the movie. And there were characters, both small and bigger, that were left out completely.

We were all surprised at the person who played Gomez. The guy was supposed to be tall and blond and good looking. But instead, they went with a shorter, dark haired, sorta hairy lookin' guy. I guess it was a small thing, but couldn't they find a tall blond to play the part?

Also, the affair that happens once between Claire and Gomez never takes place in the movie. You don't get to know Claire's family as deeply as they are profiled in the book.

Some of the things that happened in the book still happened in the movie but were changed up a bit. Locations, circumstances and such.

All in all, nothing they left out or changed up really affected the movie in a negative way, in our humble opinions.

Of course the ending was a little different, maybe not as ambiguous as the book. In the book it was sort of left open to interpretation and when Henry dies he never sees Claire again; at least in this life.

The movie ended with a more positive spin on his death. They are able to continue to see each other after his death, which differs from the book. Although they leave out that part at the end of the book where they join up and are together forever after Claire passes away at an old age.

We thought the movie was really good and the way it ends actually leaves it open, we think, to make another movie. The book ended that way as well, with Claire and Henry's daughter being a Time Traveler also, it seems there should be a way for her to go back and develop a cure or something to save her father.

Of course, if you want to see the movie, you should read the book first, because the book is always better!

If you saw the movie also, what did you think?

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner

First things first. I totally lied to you all last week. I said we'd be doing our Girfriend's review on The Time Traveler's Wife movie.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances we were unable to do the review. (ha! jessica, did that sound good? do you think they'll figure out that we just totally slacked and didn't get it done?? i bet not. wink wink.)

Okay, so we promise that we will get it up soon. We're thinking some of you may not have been able to see the movie yet and we didn't want to ruin it for ya. Uh...yeah, that sounds good right?

Winner!!

The lucky person who won last week's giveaway is: number 5! Chosen by Random.org.

Jane Anne at Gravity of Motion, you win!

Please let us know your info so we can get it to you!

Where's the Giveaway??!!

Okay, we're not doin' one this week, but check back next Tuesday to see what we've got!

We're going to the beach today, so you never know what we'll dig up for ya!

Spoilers Below!!

As we get closer to the end of the book, we realize that Lexi isn't happy at all in her new life.

What do you think about Eric being so obsessive about keeping things in their place?

What would you do regarding the situation with Jon?

Would you play it like Lexi or would you go for it?

Giveaway at the playground!

Maggie at Sitting on the moodswing at the playground recently received 2 new copies of While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty. Guess where she got em? The actual publisher!

Click the book and it will take you over to Maggie's blog, where you can read about her meeting with the actual author and what the book is about.

We will be featuring this book in the coming months and if you leave a comment here or at Sitting on the moodswing at the playground you will have a chance to win one of the 2 hardcover editions that Maggie has!

And...the coolest thing! The publisher told Maggie that if this book is a selection by the book club that she would either have the author call in or answer questions submitted by us!

We think that's pretty dang neat.

Interview With A Girlfriend

This week our intverview is with Lisa from One Girlie Girl.

She is a riot, her blog is one of my favorite "funny girl" blogs!

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books:
I'm not sure I have a favorite. I like a lot of different genre's. But, if I had to rank them it would probably be:
1. Chick Lit...girls gotta have a quick and funny read!
2. Mystery/Suspense {Please don't confuse this with horror...I'm having a nightmare just thinking about it}
3. Romance {Usually paired in with one of the above}
4. Series/Epic - I love a good series. Or any book that takes you through a lifetime with a character. I just feel like I made a new friend when I read these types of books.
Who is your favorite author: Oh, my! I have a few that I'm in love with right now. Jen Lancaster, whom I've recently discovered! Sophie Kinsella. Barbara Taylor Bradford. Mary Higgins Clark.

What do you think of the movies that are based on books:

Usually I find them a dissapointment. I think your own imagination is so much better than one person's vision of how they see the story. Even how you picture a character can be completely different, ya know?! One exception to this was "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry. Yes, it's a western and I read it when I was a kid. But, I remember thinking the whole time what a great movie I thought it would be. Then lo' and behold they made it into a miniseries for TV. It totally did the book justice!! Check it out!!
Also, I am looking forward to seeing "The Time Traveler's Wife" I think that could be very, very good. Don't tell me if you saw it...I'm waiting for a girlfriend get together next month to see it...hopefully it will still be in the theaters;)

What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:

Well, the most memorable ones?! There are a few. The Shell Seekers by Rosamonde Pilcher; The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough; A Woman Of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford and as mentioned above, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

Now, tell us about your blog.What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:

Easy...because I am me. No, no, really. I started blogging for a personal reason. I lost a baby a year and a half ago and was hoping to help others that had been through it, just by relaying my personal experience. Then it evolved into just tidbits from my life. I hate to say it, but I think I'm just a mom who puts some stuff out there and hopes to meet some like minded people along the way. I must say that the blogging community out there is so wonderful that I have more fun reading blogs than I do writing :) So come by and get to know me a little better, 'cause I really would love to get to know you!!

**Note from MiMi** Thank you so much, Lisa! Is anyone else loving these interviews as much as I am? I love getting to know people better by talking about my favorite thing: books!

And it's a great way to find new authors that we may not have read before!

Please go visit Lisa at One Girlie Girl!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner/Giveaway!!

Just a couple things first that I want to touch on.

1. The Time Traveler's Wife, our extra credit book, came out in the theaters last Friday!

We were so excited to go see it and this Thursday we'll do a review of the movie and let you know our take on it.

2. Giveaway Winner!!

Courtesy of Random.org.

Our giveaway winner this week, who will win the lovely owl stamp, note cards and memo pad is:

Number 11; Robin_Titan! (not her real name by the way. ; ) )

Please send your address to readwithgirlfriends@yahoo.com, as soon as you can,

so we can get your prize in the mail!

3. Next week's giveaway!

A notebook, pen and funky oversized paperclips.

The notebook is perfect size for your purse and it's ready for you to write down any notes you may want to keep handy. The pen is a blueberry scented Jelly Belly pen.

I ask you, who doesn't want to be sniffing their pens?

Spoiler Alerts Below!!

This book doesn't have any real heavy issues to deal with on the surface.

But when you think about it, it sorta makes you wonder.

What if you had this happen and you woke up one day not remembering

the past 3 years of your life.

Assuming you could choose, is there a part of your life

that you wish you didn't remember?

September Book Pick

The Read With Girlfriends choice for September is:



Here's what's on the back of the book:

Once upon a time, I was a rebel. And I have the tattoo to prove it.Then there was the spiked hair–the shade of which changed monthly–“colorful” language that can’t be found in your everyday sixteen-count crayon box, a pack-a-day habit, less-than-modest wardrobe, and an obsession with guitar-trashing, drum-bashing music.

Did I mention I’m also a preacher’s kid? That’s right. And like the prodigal son after whom I modeled myself, I finally saw the error of my ways and returned to the fold.

Today my life is all about “lead me not into temptation.” When I’m not serving as Women’s Ministry Director at my father’s church, I’m working at Gloria’s Morning Café. I even have worthy goals, like saving enough money to buy the café, keep my Jelly Belly habit under control, and to never again hurt the people I love.

No more parties. No more unsavory activities. And no more motorcycles! You’d think I was finally on the right track.But since my dad’s replacement hired a hotshot church consultant to revive our “dying” church, things aren’t working out as planned. And now this “consultant” says I’m in need of a little reviving myself. Just who does this Maddox McCray think he is anyway?

With his curly hair that could use a good clipping, tattoo that he makes no attempt to hide, and black leather pants, the man is downright dangerous. In fact, all that’s missing is a motorcycle. Or so I thought… But if he thinks he’s going to take me for a ride on that 1298cc machine of his, he can think again.

Harriet Bisset is a reformed woman, and she’s going to stay that way. Even if it kills me!


Neither Jess or I have ever read this author, but we got a couple of great recommendations and we wanted to give it a try.

***Again, we're posting this now so you have time to get the book.***

Here are some places to get it:

Click on the picture above and it will take you to Amazon.com.

Library

Local Bookstore

Borders

Barnes and Noble

Used Book Stores

Please join us in September for this read!

Am I the only one shocked that it's almost September?!

Interview With A Girlfriend

Today's interview is with Melissa from Nunnally Family Fun.

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books:
I don't really have a favorite. I am not a fan of harlequin romance novels and don't really do any sci-fi either, but I will read just about anything else and even if I really don't like the book I keep reading thinking that either it will get better or I just need to know how it ends. I read a ton of nonfiction anything that is going on in my life I am sure I have at least 2 books about it

Who is your favorite author:

I don't have a favorite author at all. This sounds terrible, but I usually just buy a book because either the cover looks like a good book or the inside flap story over view makes the book seem interesting. I have read several Sophie Kinsella books and Nicholas Sparks too along with things by the Dr. Sears family, & Beth Moore, but really I can't say there is a favorite or one I like over the other depends what I am reading about.

What do you think of the movies that are based on books:
Not too sure about this one. I get so attached to books...when I am reading a fiction book it is all I can think about until the book is done which is why I usually read a book in 2-3 days. So I read books and make pictures in my head of how things played out or what the person looks like, I am the person you see reading a book and laughing out loud or totally sobbing depending on the book. That being said movies never really seem as good as the book was in my head. But I still enjoy watching them mostly to just compare what I thought it should be to what the movie people made it .

What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:
Oh my gosh...I have a ton, but then I also have this problem that a lot of times I will read a book and really love what I read, but I can never remember what book it was from or even who the author was. I think for this week I will have to say Healthy Child Healthy World...only because every time I do something that was talked about in the book (like letting my child play with plastic toys) I wonder if I am poisoning my child. Of course it isn't really true, but because I just finished the book I am looking for more and more ways to be "green" and it is on my mind.

Now, tell us about your blog.What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:
My blog isn't nearly as greatly written or funny as some of the others I have read. When my husband & I were struggling with fertility issues I had a website to keep our out of town family in the loop and then when I got pregnant we kept the website. But soon I was reading tons of blogs and wanted to join this community of people so I made the switch. My blog is really about my son with some bits of my husband & I thrown in the mix, but really just to keep my family involved in all that is going on down here with us. Right now my blog seems to be about looking for advice on potty training and discipline because that is the stage we are in with my son. And you should love me because...is this really a question? Hmm...just because I am nice, I really don't know what to say here.

MiMi's note: I think we must be "reading" twins. Is that possible?? I feel the same way, if a book is boring, I feel like I have to stick with it just to see how it ends if nothing else!

You can tell by reading Melissa's blog that her son is the absolute love of her life. She's dealing with the same issues that all moms of small children are dealing with, you're bound to find a kindred spirit while reading her posts on the issues that go with raising a little one.

You need to go visit her....she is so nice and has a beautiful son!

Thank you Melissa!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday & a Giveaway!

Hi Girlfriends, Jessica here!
It's the second Tuesday of the month and around here that means,
Spoiler Alert Tuesday!
This is the day that we post a discussion question or two, and you all can comment with your responses. There might be some spoilers in the comments, so read at your own risk. Oh, please only talk about the selected chapters or the chapters from the prior weeks. Jumping ahead could ruin it for someone else.

First, let's look at the Giveaways and then the spoilers will be posted below those.
Let's announce last weeks winner!
I went to random.org and it picked number
4! That means that Missy from Life In Left Field won!
Congrats! We will be contacting you for mailing info soon!

Now, don't be depressed, here is......

This week's giveaway!

Make sure to comment on this post by next Monday night
to be entered in this giveaway!
(You don't have to be reading yet but you have to be a follower to enter)




SPOILER ALERT
Chapters 2-5



Lexi is still in the hospital trying to piece together her life.
She looks so different but her mom is just as annoying as ever.
Chapter 5 introduces us to Lexi's husband Eric.
He's handsome, perfect and out of old Lexi's league.

Question: How would you feel finding out you had a husband that you don't even remember meeting? Would you have asked different questions than Lexi?

Okay, that was quick.
I was wondering what it would be like to meet my husband that way.
Or my kids.

Interview With A Girlfriend

This week's interview is with Dawn from Must Love Tots.

Dawn was my swap partner for the Red, White and Blue Swap last month.

I am so thankful that we got partnered because she is hilarious and now I have someone I would have not known otherwise that I can call a friend!

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books:

I just love to read. I read anything from juvenile fiction to women's studies. I just finished the Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray that I found in the young adult fiction section at the library. It was great and I loved it.
Who is your favorite author:

John Sandford & Sandra Dallas are the two that I'm always guaranteed to love. And I just discovered Anita Shreve.
What do you think of the movies that are based on books:

It depends on what the director makes of it. I think the Harry Potter movies are phenomenal, especially considering there are so many little details to put in. I don't think the director needs to get every detail right, I think the main thing is getting the feel of the book.
What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:

"Desert Flower" by Waris Dirie. It's Dirie's true story of growing up in Somalia and a victim of female genital mutilation and later becoming a world-famous model. I bought it to read on a plane ride and I had the whole thing read before I got to the airport. You can actually hear Dirie's voice through the book, the language is hers. It was uplifting to read about someone who has been through so much and ultimately makes the most of her life.
Now, tell us about your blog. What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:

You should love me because I'm me. ;) No, in all honesty, I'm not sure you should love me! I try to keep my blog completely honest, even if I am sometimes brutal on myself. I blog about everything from battle with depression to my son's obsession with putting half-eaten hot dogs in my purse. I also have a second blog that I use to keep my mom's friends and family updated on her battle with cancer. Both blogs are completely me. I don't sugar coat. I don't worry about what I should and I should not write. I write it all. Writing is therapeutic for me and my release.


Note from MiMi - Dawn is so real it is almost scary!

She's funny and has a beautiful family, just check out her handsome hubby in the picture!

She also has a mom who is battling cancer and she's dedicated a separate blog to that.

Go check her out, she's a little bit of everything and more!

P.S. Please, please, please forgive me for the photo, Dawn. I don't have the cool tools to make it look awesome, like Jess, so I tried to make it look right, but I'm not sure. Wednesday snuck up on me and I forgot to get it all ready yesterday when I could've bribed Jess to do it!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner/Giveaway!!

It's a new month with a new book and it's Tuesday! You know what that means, Spoiler Alert Tuesday, again!

So, since we just started this book, well, I just started the book, cuz I'm a slacker, I am only going to do the Prologue and Chapter One. I don't want to spoil it for myself!

Spoilers Below!!

What would you do if you woke up in a strange environment and didn't know exactly how you got there?

What would you do if you realized that the hospital staff mistook you for someone else?

(keep in mind you may score a really nice Louis Vuitton bag from the mistake...wink wink.)

And a question that is purely for my sanity:

There's a character called Fi.
How do you pronounce that? Is it Fye or Fee? Help me with this!

Winner, Winner!!

We used RandomKid.org again to choose the number of our winner last week.

And the lucky winner is number 1, Brandy from The Royal Family!!!

Congrats Brandy, you get to spoil your feet with our mini pedicure kit!

Don't be disappointed if you didn't win, because here is our next giveaway!
Make sure you comment by next Monday, the 10th at noon PST, on this post, for your chance to win!!

Our Giveaway this week is:

This Kitchen Set will be perfect at your end of summer/Labor Day barbecue!

Or, if your like me, in your kitchen all year round, cuz who can't use more dish towels and hot pads?!

This set includes 2 hot pads, an apron and the lovely, patriotic American Flag dish towel.

Get ready....get set....comment!!

***NOTE*** Ladies -Please start sending your addresses to our new e-mail so we can start getting your RWG bookmarks in the mail!!

readwithgirlfriends@yahoo.com

New Month, New Book!

Hey Girlfriends!

We hope that you have finished July's book
(look below to participate in the group discussion).

It's August 1st and time to start
Who said "don't judge a book by it's cover"?
Look how pretty it is!

Do you still need the book? Here are some ideas on where to find it:

• www.amazon.com (they sell it used too)
  
• your local book store
• your local used book store
• the library
• borrow from a friend
• Target (has a good book section)
  
• maybe Wal-Mart

Don't forget to enter in the Spoiler Alert Tuesday Giveaway!! We will be having these most weeks. Also, please email one of us your address so we can send out your bookmark.

***I just made up a new email address for the bookclub:

readwithgirlfriends@yahoo.com

We hope you'll participate this month!
(If you never got around to reading last month, no worries! Time to start fresh for August!)